Fiat 124 Spider Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy

Every Fiat 124 Spider model year (20172020) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, injuries, and deaths. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.

Fiat 124 Spider Years to Avoid

#1 WORST
2017

1 recall · 31 complaints

Top issue: AIR BAGS

Problem score: 34

#2 WORST
2018

1 recall · 16 complaints

Top issue: AIR BAGS

Problem score: 19

#3 WORST
2019

2 recalls · 9 complaints

Top issue: SEAT BELTS

Problem score: 15

Best Fiat 124 Spider Years to Buy

#1 BEST
2020

1 recall · 8 complaints

Main area: AIR BAGS

Problem score: 11

#2 BEST
2019

2 recalls · 9 complaints

Main area: SEAT BELTS

Problem score: 15

#3 BEST
2018

1 recall · 16 complaints

Main area: AIR BAGS

Problem score: 19

Found the right year? Verify that specific 124 Spider with a free VIN report.

Fiat 124 Spider — Year-by-Year Problem Report

YearRecallsComplaintsProblem ScoreVerdict
202018
11
Good
201929
15
Caution
2018116
19
Caution
2017131
34
Avoid

Higher scores indicate more reported safety issues across recalls, complaints, and injury data.

Fiat 124 Spider Shopping Guide by Era

2018–Present

Best: 2020

Recent 124 Spider models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. Lower problem scores typically appear in this era. The 2020 stands out with just 11 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.

2013–2017

Best: 2017

Mid-decade 124 Spider units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2017 shows the lowest problem count for this era.

Frequently Asked Questions

What year 124 Spider should I avoid?+

Avoid the 2017 Fiat 124 Spider if possible. It has 1 recall, 31 owner complaints, and the most common complaint category is AIR BAGS. The overall problem score is 34 — the highest in our dataset.

What is the best year 124 Spider to buy?+

The 2020 Fiat 124 Spider is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 11. It has only 1 recall and 8 complaints on record with NHTSA.

Which 124 Spider has the fewest problems?+

The 2020, 2019, 2018 model years have the fewest documented problems across recall and complaint databases. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.

More Fiat 124 Spider Research

Check a Specific Fiat 124 Spider VIN

Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.

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